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The Fountain Pen Community -> Chatter, Gossip, Musings, Ramblings, etc.. -> Warning about Proxibid!
Post Info TOPIC: Warning about Proxibid!
Frank


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Warning about Proxibid!
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Hello!

I want to share an interesting ordeal I went through with Proxibid, and the auctioneer involved with them. I was participating in the Cole Banks Estate Auction (vintage pens) held over the weekend in Indiana. I was an on-line pre-bidder.
I did win a few lots, but three I basically got screwed out of! On two of these lots, the person that won had bid the same amount as I had. The other, the winner bid less than me!
I have been to many auctions. As you may know, I also collect old toys (mainly Hot Wheels/Matchbox cars). Usually the auctioneer announces the highest mail/phone bid they have, and are asked to beat it. This was not the case.
I spent some of the weekend mailing/calling Proxibid, and the auctioneer (Sohn and Associates). I was trying to get an explanation from both. Neither company really had a good explanation. Proxibid basically said that the system was not setup to bid against yourself. I thought these third party systems were setup to protect the bidder, and the highest bid you placed? Mr. Sohn was not so nice, he actually verbally abused me during our conversation! I will be filing a complaint with Proxibid.
I strong advise against dealing with this auction house in the future. I also advise that you do not get involved with Proxibid. I had to leave credit card info to register. SO, on top of the insults, I have to buy the items I won, plus pay a 15% premium!

Frank

-- Edited by Frank on Monday 30th of March 2009 02:33:04 PM

-- Edited by Frank on Monday 30th of March 2009 02:33:44 PM

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Aussie FP


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Frank,  I had troubles of a different type with that auction.

I used proxibid to prebid on a few pens, as I knew the auction would commence after midnight (my time).  As it was, I had to put the cat out in the middle of the night, so I went online and saw the auction was in progress.  I tried to get into the live auction, but couldn't, even though I was a pre-approved bidder.

Oh well, too bad.  The next day I checked on the lots and found I had won one pen, but also saw that another pen had sold for the same price as my pre-auction bid, to someone physically at the auction. My bid was obviously earlier, and as it was the same amount, I thought I should have won that item.  Perhaps being there was the key, rather than bidding online.

I did send an email to proxibid, and to their credit they responded very quickly, albeit stating that they were purely the online company used by the auction company.  Any queries would need to be directed to the auctioneer.  I didn't follow that up.  It's a bit hard from 14 1/2 hours (and just as many thousands of miles) away!

I hope my pen is as nice as I expect it to be.

Having said all that, there were some pens that went for not much more than a song....if only I could have logged in successfully!! hmm

Gerard.



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Frank


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Gerard,

That was my argument as well with the auctioneer (and Proxibid).
How can someone with the same bid as me win that item?

I was told either it was a timing issue on the bidding, or you had the previous high bid.
They were like "you cannot bid against yourself"!
No, but generally at auction, the bidder is told they must beat the existing pre-bid!

I'm sorry you had a similar issue! Misery does not love company in this case!

Frank

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Aussie FP


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Frank,

I got an email from USPS today to say they've received my package from the auctioneers, so I presume I'll be seeing it in a week or so.  Nothing spectacular, a maroon Sheaffer with inlaid nib and touchdown filler.  I've never seen one of those filling systems in person before, so I'll presume it doesn't work and be pleasantly surprised if it does smile.  If it doesn't, there will be a post here asking for advice biggrin

What did you buy, and where on this site are you going to load the photos and descriptions for us to look at?

Gerard.

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Frank


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Posts: 1212
Date:
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Aussie FP wrote:

Frank,

I got an email from USPS today to say they've received my package from the auctioneers, so I presume I'll be seeing it in a week or so.  Nothing spectacular, a maroon Sheaffer with inlaid nib and touchdown filler.  I've never seen one of those filling systems in person before, so I'll presume it doesn't work and be pleasantly surprised if it does smile.  If it doesn't, there will be a post here asking for advice biggrin

What did you buy, and where on this site are you going to load the photos and descriptions for us to look at?

Gerard.


Gerard,

I actually won nine lots at this auction!
I'll have to work on photos.

Hopefully, they will come here in one piece! smile

I won a 3 Parker Vacs, 2 Eversharp Skylines, a bunch of Esties,
another bunch of Parker 45's, some Sheaffer TD/Snorkels as well.

Touchdown repairs are fairly straightforward. DWL has videos under
Pen Repairs forum showing this process. You can also go to Richard
B's site for info as well (richardspens.com).

Frank

 



__________________

"When, in the course of writing events, it becomes self-evident that all pens are not created equal" (Federalist Frank)

We sell quality, known brands at reasonable prices!!

Visit our Store Federalist Pens and Paper!  (TFPC Sponsor!)

(5% Discount for Forum Members! Use Code "FPC" at Checkout!)

Follow our discussion group(s) at www.linkedin.com!  (Fountain Pen Community/Federalist Pens)

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